Work

Fine-scale habitat requirements of the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis): Implications for rainforest conservation in West Africa

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Against the backdrop of persistent deforestation and habitat loss, there is an urgent need to better understand which factors shape the population densities of wildlife inhabiting the Upper Guinean rainforest in West Africa to help inform conservation policy. Prior studies on the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), a large amphibious herbivore endemic to the region, have revealed spatial variation in their population abundance that cannot solely be attributed to anthropogenic stressors. Here, we examine how field-measured and geospatial data on vegetation structure, vegetation composition and other key habitat features affect pygmy hippo fecal densities from line transect surveys in Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire. Fecal densities increased significantly with proximity to minor forest creeks and decreased significantly with proximity to human footpaths and increasing litter layer depth. Marginally significant positive relationships were observed for proximity to major rivers, angiosperm undergrowth height, and fern abundance, while proximity to camps showed a marginally significant negative effect. Preserving and restoring habitats with low human disturbance, structurally complex undergrowths and reliable access to water is critical for the effective conservation of the pygmy hippo. Particular attention should be given to the importance of small, rain-fed watercourses, as these habitat features are increasingly threatened by deforestation-induced aridification in the wider region. Our results showcase that habitat suitability for forest fauna may hinge on fine-scale habitat features that are easily overlooked in region-wide conservation assessments, but may nonetheless be highly sensitive to climatic and land-use change in the wider region.

Source: Global Ecology and Conservation

DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04346